Cable securing device

ABSTRACT

A cable securing device facilitates secure connection to a cabling end, and employs a retaining cap, a compression member, a barrel with a tapered interior wall and a fastening device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional applicationno. 62/569,101, filed Oct. 6, 2017, entitled, “Push-to-Connect CablePulling Device, Assembly and Method”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to conduit systems, and more particularlyto a cable securing device that facilitates connection with a cable endand feeding or pulling the cable through a conduit.

BACKGROUND

Proper wiring and cable management in building structures is essentialto the safe and effective operation of the building's electrical andcabling operation.

When wiring or cabling needs to be protected from potential damage, itcan be pulled through various types of conduits. Conduits can be made ofmetal, rigid plastic (e.g., PVC) and other materials, and wiring orcabling can vary from very thin wires that may be bundled for passagethrough a conduit to very thick cables that may not be joined to anyother wires or cabling when passed through a conduit. For purposes ofthe present disclosure, the term “cable” or “cabling” may be usedthroughout the present disclosure to refer to any type of wire, cable orsimilar elongated element that can be inserted and pulled through aconduit.

While conduit can be lengthy and provided with curves as necessitated bya building's structure, it can be difficult to pull cabling through evenshort lengths of conduit. Traditionally, tools such as electrician'sfish tape have been used to attach to the end of the cable and pull thecable through the conduit. Generally, fish tapes are made of strongmaterial such as steel to support pulling loads, and have a loop on oneend to which the end of the cable can be secured. In instances where thecable being pulled is not insulated, or where the insulation has beenstripped at the end secured to the fish tape, electrical tape may beapplied to the bare segments of the cable. Other methods besides usingfish tape, such as pushing or wiggling cable through conduit, forexample, have been tried with generally unsatisfactory results.

Unfortunately, the fish tape method and other methods of cable pullingthrough conduits do not always work properly, and if the fish tapeseparates from the cable during the process of pulling the cable throughthe conduit, it can be very difficult to remove the inserted cable tore-start the process. Oftentimes in such situations, the conduit must beremoved and/or broken to obtain access to the end of the cable, whichcan be extremely costly and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides, in part, a cable securing device,assembly and method that facilitates the secure connection of cablingends for pulling the cabling through a conduit without damage to thecabling and while minimizing risk of detachment during the pullingprocess.

In various embodiments, the device and assembly can employ a retainingcap, a compression member, a barrel or tube with a tapered interior walland a fastening device. The fastening device is inserted into thebarrel, followed by the compression member, and these elements arecapable of axial movement within the barrel along the barrel's axis. Invarious embodiments, the barrel can be provided with a thread at one endfor securely engaging the retaining cap, and an internal taper at theother end. One end of the retaining cap has a thread for mating with thebarrel's thread. The retaining cap is also formed with a central openingthrough which a rigid lanyard may extend. In various embodiments, a bulbsegment of the rigid lanyard is retained within the interior of theretaining cap such that, as the rigid lanyard is pulled, the bulbsegment engages the retaining cap and the full device with barrel,compression member and fastening device can be pulled as a unit. When acable is inserted into the opening of the barrel opposite the lanyard,the cable pushes the fastening device and compresses the compressionmember back to the inner edge of the retaining cap, at which time thejaws of the fastening device are loose and fit around the cable. Whenthe compression member expands back, it slides the back side of thefastening device back down the barrel interior towards the tapered end,forcing the jaws of the fastening device to securely engage the cable asthe fastening device extends down the taper of the barrel. Once thecompression member has fully expanded to the point at which thefastening device will move no further, the cable is in the secure graspof the fastening device. At such time, a fish tape or other device canbe secured to the loop in the rigid lanyard for pulling the cablethrough a conduit.

In various embodiments, a retaining ring is inserted between thecompression member and the fastening device, and the retaining ringretains a trailing end of the fastening device while providing a matingsurface for the compression member. In various embodiments, a stagingclip or pusher is employed between the leading edge of the fasteningdevice and the barrel end to prompt the jaws of the fastening deviceopen for receiving an inserted cable, for example. The retaining ringand/or staging clip can be provided as a fracturable or sacrificialcomponent that breaks down upon a single use, according to variousembodiments. In various embodiments incorporating the retaining ring, agrip ring is provided between the retaining ring and the compressionmember to assist with retaining an inserted cable and maintainingalignment of the fastening device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of one embodiment of acable securing device in accordance with the present disclosure, shownwith a cable to be inserted.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, withoutthe cable.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a barrel member in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view taken of the barrel member ofFIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of a retaining cap in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the retaining cap of FIG. 5taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of a fastening device in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 takenalong the line 8-8 of Fig.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of an alternative fastening device inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 9 takenalong the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a left side view of another alternative fastening device inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 11 takenalong the line 12-12 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 13-16 are cross-sectional views showing different stages ofsecuring a cable within embodiments of the device of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17 is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of acable securing device in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a front cross-sectional view of an assembled embodiment ofthe device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a left side view of the barrel member of the device of FIG.17.

FIG. 20 is a front cross-sectional view of the barrel member taken alongline 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front cross-sectional view of an assembled alternativeembodiment of the device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a fasteningdevice in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of a fastening device member inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the fastening device member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the fastening device member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a back view of the fastening device member of FIG. 23.

FIGS. 27-29 are cross-sectional views showing different stages ofsecuring a cable within embodiments of the device of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 30 is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of acable securing device in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a front cross-sectional view of an assembled embodiment ofthe device of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a front view of an embodiment of a pusher member inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a side cross-sectional view of the pusher member taken alongline 33-33 of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the pusher member of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the pusher member of FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is a front cross-sectional view of an assembled alternativeembodiment of the device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is a front view of an embodiment of a grip ring member inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is a side cross-sectional view of the grip ring member takenalong line 38-38 of FIG. 32.

FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 39-39 of FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter areshown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presentlydisclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications andother embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thepresently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosedsubject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended tobe included within the scope of the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that reference to “a”, “an” or other indefinitearticle in the present disclosure encompasses one or more than one ofthe described element. Thus, for example, reference to a fasteningdevice may encompass one or more fastening devices, and so forth.

In the cable securing device 15 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, elements as shown include: aretaining cap 30, a compression member 40, a fastening device 50 and abarrel 60. A cable 70 with insulation 75 is also shown; however, thecable is not necessarily considered an element of the device andassembly as presently disclosed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 16, a lanyard 20 is provided with a bodysegment 22, bulb segment 24 and end loop attachment 26. The lanyard 20may or may not be considered part of the cable securing device 15depending upon the nature of the embodiments of the present disclosure.In various embodiments, the bulb segment 24 is integrally formed withthe body segment 22 so as to provide a monolithic structure, and the endloop attachment 26 has a base segment 28 that is crimped or otherwiseeffectively secured to the body segment 22. As shown in FIG. 13, thebulb segment 24 further has a base portion 21 and a generallyfrustoconical head portion 23 formed with the body segment 22. The baseportion 21 has a radius U1 that is greater than radius U2 of the bodysegment 22. The head portion 23 has a variable radius extending from thebase portion 21 to the body segment 22. As further shown in FIG. 13, theouter surface 27 of the head portion 23 engages an angled interiorsurface 36 of the head segment 31 (see FIG. 6) of the retaining cap 30.This facilitates a secure engagement such that when the lanyard 20 ispulled, it will pull the barrel 60 and its contents during operation. Asshown in FIG. 1, the loop attachment 26 is formed with an opening 29therein, which facilitates the secure connection of a fish tape or otherexternal device having a latch or other mechanism securable to the loopattachment 26 for pulling, as described in more detail hereafter. Invarious embodiments, the lanyard can be made of steel or other rigidmaterial.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the retaining cap 30 can be formed with ahead segment 31, an axially extending body segment 32, an outer surface33 and an inner surface 34 defining a bore hole 35 extending axiallytherethrough. The outer surface 33 of the body segment 32 can beprovided with a threaded exterior as at 19, although in alternativeembodiments, the body segment inner surface 34 can be provided inthreaded form. It will be appreciated that body segment 32 is formedwith a radially extending edge 133 having a width W such that theradially extending edge 133 extends radially inwardly of the barrelinterior surface 62 when connected, as shown in FIG. 14, which permitsthe radially extending edge 133 of the body segment 32 to provideresisting force to compression member 40 during operation. The headsegment 31 has an outer radial edge surface 38, a shoulder edge surface39 and a top edge surface 18. The inner surface 34 can be formed suchthat it does not have a constant radius, but rather has a radius R1associated with body segment 32, a radius R2 associated with the angledinterior surface 36 of the head segment 31 and a radius R3 associatedwith the lanyard body receiving segment 37 of the head segment 31. Invarious embodiments, radius R1 is constant and is generally larger thanradius R2, which is variable and reduces in size as it extends from thebody segment 32 to the lanyard body receiving segment 37. Both radius R1and radius R2 are larger than radius R3, which is constant in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The surfaces 36, 37 of differentradii R2, R3, respectively, provide mating surfaces for the outersurfaces of the lanyard body segment 22 and lanyard bulb segment 24, asshown in FIGS. 13-16. In various embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 14,for example, the base portion 21 of the bulb segment 24 extends radiallyinto the interior cavity 95 defined by the body segment 32 of theretaining cap 30, for example. In so doing, the base portion 21 of thebulb segment 24 acts as a stopper when a cable 70 is inserted, whichprevents the cable 70 from being pinched or otherwise deformed if itwere to extend further into the bore hole 35 of the retaining cap 30. Invarious embodiments, the compression member internal radius and theradius of the base portion 21 of the bulb segment 24 at the interiorcavity 95 are substantially the same. In various embodiments, theretaining cap 30 is made of steel or other rigid material.

The compression member 40 can be a compression spring capable ofexpansion and retraction, biased to return to a resting position asappropriate for the functions described herein. In various embodiments,the compression member 40 is formed of steel or other suitable material.In various other embodiments, compression member 40 is formed as asuitably resilient and tubular- shaped elastomeric membrane or foammaterial for operation in accordance with the present disclosure. Thecompression member 40 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 through 16 with a firstend 121 and a second end 122. In implementations where very low force isrequired, the elastomeric membrane can provide lower resistance than acompression spring, for example. An exemplary embodiment illustratingelastomeric membrane as the compression member is shown at 506 in FIG.21, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, embodiments of the barrel 60 can be formed asa monolithic, integrated component with an exterior surface 61 and aninterior surface 62 defining an interior cavity 63 extending axiallytherethrough. The exterior surface 61 can be substantially cylindrical,or tubular, as shown. A first end surface 64 extends radially inwardlyfrom the exterior surface 61 to an axially extending inner radial lip 65having a radius B1. A second end surface 66 of the barrel 60 extendsradially inwardly from the exterior surface 61 to an interior thread 67.The interior surface 62 tapers from a widest radius B3 at segment 68 toa tapering segment 69 having a variable radius B2, down to the axiallyextending inner radial lip 65. The barrel interior surface 62 thus has asubstantially cylindrical portion 610 and a substantially frustoconicalportion 612, with the substantially frustoconical portion 612 shown attapering segment 69. In various embodiments, radius B3 is constant andis larger than radius B2, and both radius B3 and B2 are larger thanradius B1. The tapered interior surface 62 of barrel 60 facilitates theoperation of the compression member 40 and fastening device 50 asdescribed in more detail hereafter. In various embodiments, the taperangle T is constant and can range from approximately ten degrees toapproximately thirty degrees, depending upon the implementation. Forexample, in situations where a shorter barrel 60 is required, angle Tmay be higher. In various embodiments, the barrel 60 is formed of steelor other rigid material.

As shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, the fastening device 50 can be providedin various forms. In FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, the fastening device 50is provided as a three-piece device with first 151, second 152 and third153 members aligned with respective gaps 154, 155 and 156 therebetween.Each of the members 151, 152 and 153 is provided with a respectiveleading edge 157 at a first axial end 191, a trailing edge 158 at asecond axial end 192, a radially outer surface 160 and a radiallyinterior surface 180 with a gripping segment such as teeth 159. As shownin FIGS. 9 and 10, the fastening device can provided as a two-piecedevice with first 251 and second 252 members aligned with respectivegaps 254 and 255 therebetween. The members 251, 252 are provided with aleading edge 257 at a first axial end 291, a trailing edge 258 at asecond axial end 292, a radially outer surface 260 and a radiallyinterior surface 280 with a gripping segment such as teeth 259. As shownin FIGS. 11 and 12, the fastening device is provided as a single piece,monolithic device with body 351 formed with a gap or split 352. The body351 is formed with a leading edge 353 at a first axial end 391, atrailing edge 354 at a second axial end 392, a radially outer surface355 and a radially interior surface 380 with a gripping segment such asteeth 356. Radially outer surfaces 160, 260 and 355 extend radiallyinwardly and axially outwardly from an axially inner edge (163 in FIG.8, 263 in FIGS. 10 and 363 in FIG. 12) to an axially outer edge (164 inFIG. 8, 264 in FIGS. 10 and 364 in FIG. 12). In various embodiments, theradially outer surfaces 160, 260 and 355 extend at an angle P(illustrated in FIG. 12 for example) so as to mate in sliding engagementwith the substantially frustoconical portion 612 (i.e., the taperedinternal surface 69) of the interior surface of the barrel 60 duringoperation. It will be appreciated that the sliding engagement of thisembodiment of the fastening device 50 with the barrel interior surface62 is such that the axially inner edge of the radially outer surface ofthe fastening device 50 maintains contact with the barrel interiorsurface 62 throughout the sliding engagement, while the axially outeredge (164 in FIG. 8, 264 in FIGS. 10 and 364 in FIG. 12) of the radiallyouter surface (160 in FIG. 8, 260 in FIGS. 10 and 355 in FIG. 12) of thefastening device 50 only maintains contact with the tapered portion 69for a portion of the sliding engagement of the axially outer edge withthe frustoconical portion 612 of the barrel interior surface 62. Invarious embodiments, the fastening device 50 is formed of steel or otherrigid material.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, the teeth 159, 259 and 356 of fasteningdevice 50 are formed as radially inwardly extending ridges 167 risingfrom the internal surface floor 168 of the fastening device. In variousembodiments, each ridge 167 has a beveled peak 169 as opposed to asharpened peak, which assists in providing sufficient surface area forengaging an inserted cable 70. In other embodiments, a sharpened peak isprovided for greater pinching ability.

FIGS. 13 through 16 illustrate different stages of operation of thedevice and assembly of the present disclosure. Prior to insertion of acable 70, the device 15 is loaded such that the fastening device 50 andcompression member 40 are inserted into the barrel 60. The fasteningdevice 50 may be in the form of a single piece member, two members orthree members as noted above in the description pertaining to FIGS. 7through 12. The compression member 40 is inserted such that thecompression member second end 122 engages the trailing edge 158, 258and/or 354 of the fastening device 50. Next, the lanyard 20 withretaining cap 30 secured around the bulb 24 of the lanyard 20, isthreadedly engaged with the barrel 60 such that the radially extendingedge 133 of the retaining cap 30 engages the first end 121 of thecompression member 40. The lanyard body 22 is securely positioned withinthe retaining cap 30. While FIGS. 4, 6 and 13-16 show retaining cap 30with an external thread 19 and barrel 60 with internal thread 67, itwill be appreciated that the retaining cap 30 can be provided with aninternal thread for mating with an external thread on the barrel 60.

As shown in FIG. 13, and during operation, a cable 70 is inserted intothe opening of the barrel 60 where the axially extending inner radiallip 65 resides and when the compression member is in an expandedposition 141. Sliding past the lip 65, the cable 70 extends through theleading edge(s) (157 in FIG. 8, 257 in FIG. 10 and 353 in FIG. 12) ofthe fastening device 50. Depending upon the embodiment of the fasteningdevice 50, the leading edge represents the leading edge of either one,two or three fastening device members (see FIGS. 7 through 12). Theleading edge is thus not in contact with the barrel interior surfaceduring operation, although the trailing edge of the fastening device 50is in mating contact with the compression member second end 122, asshown in FIGS. 13 through 16. Further, the axially inner edge (e.g.,163, 263, 363 in FIGS. 7 through 12) of the radially outer surface(e.g., 160, 260, 355 in FIGS. 7 through 12) of the fastening device 50maintains contact with the barrel interior surface 62 throughout thesliding engagement therewith. However, the axially outer edge (e.g.,164, 264, 364) of the radially outer surface (e.g., 160, 260, 355) ofthe fastening device 50 does not maintain contact with segment 62 of thebarrel interior surface throughout the fastening device's slidingengagement therewith. Nonetheless, this engagement does not disrupt theevenness through which the fastening device 50 slidingly engages thebarrel interior surface 62, as the pressure from the inserted cable 70against the teeth (e.g., 159, 259, 356) does not permit the fasteningdevice 50 to move radially inwardly, which thus maintains suitablepressure and active sliding engagement of the axially inner edge of theradially outer surface with the barrel interior surface 62. In this way,the teeth of the fastening device 50 maintain engagement with theinserted cable 70 while permitting the cable 70 to pass through.

As shown in FIG. 14, as the cable 70 is pushed further into the barrel60, it pushes fastening device 50 axially within the barrel interiorcavity (63 in FIG. 4) and along the interior surface 69 of the barrel60, causing the compression member 40 to compress towards a compressedposition at the same time that the teeth (e.g., 159, 259, 356) of thefastening device are opening. As shown in FIG. 15, once cable 70 isfully inserted, it engages the bottom end 27 of the bulb 24 of thelanyard 20 and the compression member 40 is fully or nearly fully in acompressed position 142. As the compression member 40 begins to expand,it pushes the fastening device 50 along the outer surface 77 of thecable 70, and the teeth of the fastening device 50 begin to clamp downon the cable 70 as the fastening device 50 is pushed back into thetapered interior surface 69 of the barrel. The expansion of thecompression member 40 back to an expanded position 141 thus forces theteeth of the fastening device 50 to continue digging into the outersurface 77 of the cable 70 until the fastening device 50 can extend nofurther, as shown in FIG. 16. At such time, a fish tape or other devicecan be secured to the loop 26 in the rigid lanyard 15 for pulling thecable 70 through a conduit.

It will thus be appreciated that the compression member 40 iscompressible into the compressed position 142 (see FIG. 15) by theradially extending edge 133 of the retaining cap body segment 32 at thecompression member first end 121 and by the trailing edge of thefastening device 50 at the compression member second end 122. The evensurfaces of the retaining cap body segment 32 and trailing edge of thefastening device 50 provide for consistent force and/or resistance asthe compression member 40 compresses and expands during operation.Additionally, as the retaining cap body segment 32 extends radiallyinwardly of the barrel interior surface 62 when connected, it firmlysecures the internal components 40, 50 in place within the interior ofthe device 15, while allowing for simple disassembly when the retainingcap 30 is removed. It will be appreciated that the fastening device 50is slidingly engaged with the interior surface 69 at substantiallyfrustoconical portion 612 when the compression member 40 is in theexpanded position 141, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 16.

FIGS. 17 through 35 illustrate alternative embodiments of the cablesecuring device of the present disclosure. In the device assembly 500according to embodiments of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 17through 26, elements of the assembly as shown include: a barrel 502, aretaining cap 504, a compression member 506, a retainer 508, a fasteningdevice 510 with teeth 514 and a staging clip 512. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 30-35, a pusher 712 is employed instead of staging clip512.

As shown in FIGS. 17 through 20, the barrel 502 can be formed as amonolithic, integrated component with an exterior surface 520 and aninterior surface 522 defining an interior cavity 524 extending axiallytherethrough. The exterior surface 520 can be substantially cylindricaland/or tubular, as shown. A first end surface 526 extends radiallyinwardly from the exterior surface 520 to an axially and radiallyextending inner radial lip 528 having a variable diameter D4 that iswidest at the first end surface 526. The inner radial lip 528 extendsaxially inwardly to an axially extending inner platform 529 having adiameter D3. Diameter D4 is larger than diameter D3, which facilitatesease of insertion of a cable or similar element as described elsewhereherein. The inner platform 529 is formed with a radially outwardlyextending edge 530 on the axially inner side 531 of the inner platform529, wherein the radially outwardly extending edge 530 assists inretaining staging clip 516 in the assembly as described elsewhereherein. The interior surface 522 has a tapered wall segment 533extending from the radially outwardly extending edge 530 to non-taperedwall segment 535. In various embodiments, the tapered wall segment 533has a diameter D2 that extends from a narrowest point adjacent radiallyoutwardly extending edge 530 to a widest point adjacent non-tapered wallsegment 535. The non-tapered wall segment 535 has a consistent diameterD1 and has a threaded portion 537 at a second axially outer end 538 thatis opposite the first end surface 526.

The barrel interior surface 522 thus has a first substantiallycylindrical portion at non- tapered wall segment 535, a firstsubstantially frustoconical portion at tapered wall segment 533, asecond substantially cylindrical portion inner platform 529, and asecond substantially frustoconical portion at the radially extendinginner radial lip 528. In various embodiments, diameter D1 is constantand is larger than diameters D2, D3 and D4. In various embodiments, thenon-tapered wall segment 535 is formed with a radially inwardlyextending step 539 at the axially inward end 541 of the threaded portion537 of the barrel 502. The radially inwardly extending step 539 canprovide a supporting surface for the compression member 506 as describedelsewhere herein, while also providing a wider and/or thicker wallsegment 543 to assist with pulling support when a lanyard is secured tothe threaded portion 537 of the barrel 502. The interior tapered wallsegment 533 of barrel 502 facilitates the operation of the compressionmember 506 and fastening device 510 as described in more detailhereafter. In various embodiments, the taper angle of interior taperedwall segment 533 is similar to taper angle T as described in connectionwith FIG. 4 above.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the retaining cap 504 is formed with a headsegment 570, an axially extending body segment 572 having a radiallyextending edge 582, an outer surface 574 and an inner surface 576defining a bore hole 575 extending axially therethrough. The outersurface 574 of the body segment 572 can be provided with a threadedexterior as at 580 for securing the retaining cap 504 to the threadedportion 537 of the barrel 502, although it will be appreciated that theretaining cap 504 can be provided with a threaded interior in analternative embodiment. The head segment 570 has an outer radial edgesurface 573. It will be appreciated that the body segment 572 can beformed similar to body segment 32 in FIG. 6, with a width that allowsbody segment 572 to extend radially inwardly of the barrel interiorsurface 522 when connected, as shown in FIG. 18, which permits bodysegment 572 to provide resisting force to compression member 506 duringoperation.

As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 18, the inner surface 576 ofretaining cap 504 does not have a constant radius, but rather has aradius H1 associated with body segment inner surface 571, and a smallerradius H2 associated with a lanyard body receiving segment 586 of thehead segment 570. In various embodiments, radius H1 and radius H2 areconstant. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17, the bodyreceiving segment 586 has an inner surface 587 that is fluted at ends583, 584, which can assist with manipulation of a lanyard body segment,for example, during a pulling operation. The surfaces 571, 587 ofdifferent radii H1, H2, respectively, provide mating surfaces for theouter surfaces of the lanyard segments, as described elsewhere herein inconnection with various embodiments of the disclosure. In variousembodiments, the retaining cap 504 is made of steel or other rigidmaterial. In the embodiment in FIG. 21, inner surface 576 of retainingcap 504 has a substantially constant radius H3 associated with bodysegment inner surface 571, and a tapered interior surface 589 associatedwith the lanyard body receiving segment of the head segment of theretaining cap. As further shown in FIG. 21, the tapered interior surface589 can facilitate operation with a lanyard 590 having a rounded head592, for example.

The compression member 506 can be a compression spring (see FIGS. 17 and18) or a cylindrical or tubular shaped elastomeric membrane (see FIG.21) as described above. The compression member 506 is capable ofexpansion and retraction, and can be biased to return to an expandedposition as appropriate for the functions described herein. Thecompression member 506 is shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 21 and 27 through 29with a first end 721 and a second end 722. In various embodiments wherethe compression member 506 is a spring, it is formed of spring steel orother suitable material. An exemplary embodiment of employingelastomeric membrane as compression member 506 is shown in FIG. 21.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 22 through 26, the fastening device 510 canbe provided as a three-piece device with first 601, second 602 and third603 members aligned by edge extensions 605 and edge notches 607 formedtherein. In various embodiments, an edge extension 605 is integrallyformed extending outwardly and with a convex shape on a first side edge609 of each member 601, 602, 603 and an edge notch 607 is formedextending inwardly and with a concave shape on a second side edge 611 ofeach member 601, 602, 603 such that each edge notch 607 of a respectivemember mates with a corresponding edge extension 605 of an adjoiningmember. Each of the members 601, 602 and 603 is provided with arespective leading edge 620 at a first axial end 622, a trailing edge624 at a second axial end 626, a radially outer surface 628 and aradially interior surface 480 with a gripping segment such as teeth 514.As shown in FIGS. 22 through 26, the leading edge 620 and trailing edge624 can be provided with thin wall-type surfaces for engaging thestaging clip 512 and retainer 508, respectively. In operation, the edgeextension 605 and edge notch 607 of adjacent fastening device members(e.g., 602 and 603 in FIG. 22) engage within the barrel interior cavityand restrict axial sliding and misalignment during operation. In variousembodiments, the fastening device 510 is formed of steel or other rigidmaterial.

In various embodiments, the radially outer surface 628 of each member601, 602 and 603 is formed with an axially tapered segment 629 and anaxially aligned segment 631, wherein the axially tapered segment 629 andaxially aligned segment 631 meet at a bend 632 in the radially outersurface 628. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, the axially aligned segment631 is not in contact with the barrel interior surface 522, whereas theaxially tapered segment 629 is in contact with the tapered wall segment533 of the barrel interior surface 522 when the compression member 506is in the expanded position. This arrangement facilitates the abilityfor the fastening device 510 to expand as a cable or other object isinserted into the device and the compression member 506 becomescompressed, while further facilitating proper axial pressure from thecompression member 506 back through the axially aligned segment 631 whenthe compression member 506 is expanding back to the expanded position.As shown in FIG. 22, the axially aligned segments 631 of members 601,602 and 603 form a substantially cylindrical outer surface, which cantranslate the force from the compression member 506 via thesubstantially cylindrical retainer 508, as described more completelyelsewhere herein.

As shown in FIGS. 22 through 25, the teeth 514 of fastening device 510are formed as a series of flat surfaces (e.g., 544A-F) and generallyradially inwardly extending ridges (e.g., 545A, 545F) rising from theleading edge 620 of the fastening device 510. The flat surfaces 544A-Fand ridges (e.g., 545A, 545F) meet at respective teeth or sharpenededges 514 which provide for sufficient pinching ability. In variousembodiments, flat surface 544A, which is closest to the leading edge 620is the axially longest flat surface, and extends radially and axiallyinwardly at a pitch angle that is greater than the pitch angles extendedby the remaining flat surfaces 544B-F. The higher pitch angle can helpguide an inserted cable to the center of the axial opening of thefastening device, whereas the longer surface facilitates the insertionof a cable with less pinching, thereby allowing the cable to fully enterthrough the fastening device 510 during operation. Further, in variousembodiments, ridge 545F is the radially widest ridge, which providessufficient surface area for mating communication with retainer 508, asdescribed elsewhere herein.

It will be appreciated that the fastening device 510 can alternativelybe provided as a two-piece device with a similar arrangement to thatdescribed above and shown in FIGS. 22 through 26.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, retainer 508 is formed with an axiallyextending body segment 562 and a radially extending head segment 560,wherein the head segment 560 has an axially inner face 564 which mateswith compression member 506 during operation. The head segment 560further has a radially outer edge 566 which slidingly engages theinterior surface 522 of the barrel 502 during operation. The axiallyextending body segment 562 is formed with a radially outer surface 567and an axially outer surface 568. In various embodiments, the axiallyouter surface 568 is in mating contact with the radially extending ridge545Z of the fastening device 510 and the radially outer surface 567 isin mating contact with the axially aligned segment 631 of the fasteningdevice 510. In this way, a snug connection is provided between theretaining ring 508 and the trailing edge 624 of the fastening device510, facilitating the application of consistent force to the fasteningdevice 510 as the compression member 506 expands from the compressedposition during operation, as well as to the compression member 506 fromthe fastening device 510 as a cable is inserted into the fasteningdevice 510 during operation. As shown in FIG. 18, the head segment 560of the retaining ring 508 is in mating contact with the compressionmember second end 722. In various embodiments, the retainer 508 is madeof a polymer plastic or steel material. In specific embodiments, theretainer 508 is formed so as to be fracturable or crushable upon asingle use.

In various embodiments, staging clip 512 is housed within the barrelinterior cavity 524 and formed as a ring-shaped body having an exteriorsurface 550, an axially outer edge 551 and an axially inner edge 552.The axially inner edge 552 mates with the leading edge 620 of thefastening device 510 when the compression member 506 is in the expandedposition, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 21. The axially inner edge 552extends axially inwardly of the barrel opening and creates a gap 700between the axially inner edge 552 and the interior surface 522 of thebarrel 502 and the leading edge 620 of the fastening device 510 when thecompression member is in the compressed position, as shown in FIG. 28,for example. This arrangement helps maintain the leading edge 620 of thefastening device 510 in a fully open position when the compressionmember is in the expanded position (as shown in FIGS. 27 and 29) so asnot to block or partially block a cable as it is being inserted. Theaxially outer edge 551 abuts the radially outwardly extending edge 530of the inner platform 529 for resistance when the compression member isin the expanded position. In various embodiments, the staging clip 512is made of a polymer plastic or steel material. In specific embodiments,the staging clip 512 is formed so as to be fracturable or crushable upona single use.

FIGS. 27 through 29 illustrate different stages of operation of thedevice of the present disclosure. As a cable 470 is inserted, it movesthrough the fastening device 510 and the retainer 508, and the fasteningdevice teeth 514 exert a gripping force around the cable 470. Thefastening device 510 is pushed axially inwardly with the retainer 508,which is in contact with the second end 722 of the compression member506, thereby forcing compression member 506 into a compressed positionas its first end 721 is retained in position by the body segment 572 ofthe cap 504, as shown in FIG. 28. It will be appreciated thatcompression member 506 is compressible into the compressed position bythe trailing edge of the fastening device 510 at the compression membersecond end 722, even though the compression member 506 is not in directcontact with the compression member in various embodiments. As describedelsewhere herein, the even surfaces of the retaining cap body segment572 and trailing edge of the fastening device 510 provide for consistentforce and/or resistance as the compression member 506 compresses andexpands during operation. It will further be appreciated that as thefastening device 510 and retainer 508 are moved axially within thebarrel 502, the retainer 508 slidingly engages the interior surface 522of the barrel 502, whereas the radial outer surface 628 of the fasteningdevice 510, and the fastening device 510 itself, are not in contact withthe interior surface 522 of the barrel 502. This floating arrangement ofthe fastening device 510 nevertheless provides substantial grippingforce on the inserted cable, as the multi-piece fastening device 510remains intrinsically aligned via edge extensions 605 and edge notches607 of adjacent elements while further remaining aligned within thebarrel 502 via the retainer 508 and the gripping connection with theinserted cable 470. This floating arrangement further overcomestechnical challenges associated with maintaining alignment of thefastening device 510 during operation, and thereby maintaining a stronggrip on the inserted cable without slippage. In various embodiments, thestaging clip 512 does not move axially inwardly or outwardly with themovement of the cable 470, but rather remains in place. As such, thestaging clip 512 is not in mating contact with the leading edge or otherportion of the fastening device 510 when the compression member 506 isin the compressed position 730. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, after thecompression member 506 reaches its compressed position 730 and the cable470 is inserted and secured by the fastening device 510, the compressionmember 506 expands back to its expanded position 732 and a previouslyinserted and secured lanyard 720 can then be used to pull the cable 470in or through the desired environment.

As shown in FIGS. 30 through 35, embodiments of the presently discloseddevice employ a pusher 712 instead of a staging clip. The pusher 712 isformed with a pusher head 740 and a pusher body 742, wherein the pusherbody 742 has an axially inner end 743 formed with a radially outwardlyextending ledge segment 744. The pusher head 740 is outside of thebarrel 502 and barrel cavity 524 during operation. The pusher 712 has agenerally cylindrically-shaped cavity 747 formed by interior surface750. The axially inner end 743 is further formed with a pusher leadingedge 745. A ledge ramp 749 is formed and extends radially outwardly andaxially outwardly from the leading edge 745 to an outer wall surface 751of the ledge segment 744. The ledge ramp 749 provides a surface forengaging the leading edge 620 of the fastening device 510 and promptingthe leading edge 620 into a fully open position for receiving aninserted cable, when the compression member 506 is in the expandedposition (732 as shown in FIG. 31). In the installed version of thedevice as shown in FIG. 31, the ledge ramp 749 is radially inward of theleading edge 620 of the fastening device 510 within the barrel cavity524. The outer wall surface 751 is formed with a taper to match theinternal taper of the interior surface 522 of the barrel 502 at theresiding location of the outer wall surface 751 within the barrel cavity524.

The pusher 712 is further formed with one or more axially extending gaps748 extending from the body 742 through the ledge segment 744 at theaxially inner end 743. The gap(s) 748 create flexibility and controlleddeformity of the pusher 712, such that it may be readily inserted intothe cavity 524 of the barrel 502, wherein a back step 758 formed withthe ledge segment 744 and extending radially outwardly of the pusherbody 742 can retain the pusher 712 within the barrel cavity as the backstep 758 engages the radially outwardly extending edge 530 of the innersurface 522 of the barrel 502. In various embodiments, the pusher head740 is formed with an internal radial edge 752 that can engage the firstend surface 526 of the barrel 502 during operation.

In operation of the device shown in FIGS. 30 through 35, a cable isinserted through the pusher cavity 747 and into the barrel cavity 524,where it engages and extends through the fastening device 510 andretainer 508 as described in connection with FIGS. 27 through 29 above.Whereas the staging clip 512 generally does not move axially with thecable, fastening device 510 and retainer 508 during insertion of thecable, the pusher 712 is slidingly engaged with the barrel interiorsurface and can move axially in the same direction as these elements. Inthe event of axial movement of the pusher 712, the internal radial edge752 of the pusher head 740 may ultimately engage the first end surface526 of the barrel 502, thereby stopping any further axial movement ofthe pusher 712 as the cable, compression member 506 and retainer 508continue to move further within the barrel cavity 524. Further operationis generally as described elsewhere herein in connection with FIGS. 27through 29.

FIGS. 36 through 39 depict a further embodiment of the cable securingdevice of the present disclosure. In the device 800 according toembodiments of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 36 through 39,elements of the assembly as shown include: a barrel 502, a retaining cap504, a compression member 506, a grip ring member 515, a retainer 508, afastening device 510 and a staging clip 512. The barrel 502, retainingcap 504, compression member 506, retainer 508, fastening device 510 andstaging clip 512 interoperate substantially as described above inconnection with FIGS. 17 through 29. As shown in the embodiment of FIG.36, the grip ring member 515 is positioned between the compressionmember 506 and the retainer 508.

As shown in FIGS. 37 through 39, the grip ring 515 has a grip ring base801 with a radially outer edge 802 and a radially inner surface 804. Thegrip ring 515 can be an integral, unsplit ring or can be a split ringmember. In the embodiments where the grip ring is a split ring, the gripring can include two circumferential end points (not shown) that do notconnect, with fixture points for handling and compressing the grip ring,such that a tool designed to hold the grip ring at the fixture pointscan more easily handle and compress the grip ring in order to assistwith assembly or disassembly. In this embodiment, and once compressed,the grip ring is easily insertable into the barrel 502 by releasing thehold on the fixture points, thereby allowing the grip ring to expandsuch that the radially outer edge 802 engages the interior surface 522of the barrel 502. In various embodiments, the grip ring 515 cancomprise a spring steel formulation, for example, that enables the gripring to be malformed during installation, while springing back into itsoriginally manufactured position once installed.

The grip ring 515 is capable of grabbing an inserted cable's surface viatwo or more teeth 805. As shown in FIGS. 37 through 39, the grip ring 21includes a substantially cylindrical base 801 that has a plurality ofbifurcated or square edged teeth 805 extending radially inwardly fromthe radially inner surface 804 of the grip ring base 801. The teeth 805of the grip ring 515 can extend at various angles from the base axis asmeasured when the teeth are at rest position and are not stressed by theinsertion of a cable, for example. The number of teeth can readily varyin number and size. In various embodiments, the grip ring teeth 805 areangled radially and axially inwardly from the substantially cylindricalperimeter of the ring 515, toward the compression member 506 and awayfrom the retainer 508, such that when a cable is inserted, the teethexert a pressure against the cable to discourage the cable from slippingor moving back out of the barrel 502. The first face 814 of the gripring 515 thus engages the axially inner face 564 of the head segment 560of the retainer 508, while the second face 816 of the grip ring 515engages the compression member 506, as opposed to the compression memberdirectly engaging the head segment axially inner face 564 as describedabove in connection with FIG. 18, for example. In various embodiments,each of the grip ring teeth 805 is formed with side walls 812 and agripping edge 810, wherein the gripping edge 810 extends radiallyinwardly into the barrel interior cavity further than the retainer 508.

In various embodiments, the grip ring 515 assists in allowing thefastening device 510 to set its teeth 514 more quickly while alsopreventing or minimizing any drifting of the fastening device 510 so asto slip or become unaligned, which can result in an unsatisfactory gripon an inserted cable. When a cable is inserted into the barrel 502, andsimilar to that described in connection with FIGS. 27 through 29, thefastening device 510 is pushed axially inwardly with the retainer 508and the grip ring 515, which is in contact with the second end 722 ofthe compression member 506, thereby forcing compression member 506 intoa compressed position as its first end 721 is retained in position bythe body segment 572 of the cap 504. It will be appreciated thatcompression member 506 is compressible into the compressed position bythe trailing edge of the fastening device 510 at the compression membersecond end 722, even though the compression member 506 is not in directcontact with the compression member as shown in FIG. 36. After thecompression member 506 is compressed, the compression member 506expands, whereupon the grip ring teeth 805 engage the inserted cable andthe cable cannot slip past the grip ring teeth 805. At such time, thefastening device 510 is immediately and evenly engaged so as to remainin alignment and assist in securely engaging the inserted cable.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a barrel comprisingan interior surface comprising a substantially cylindrical portion and asubstantially frustoconical portion, wherein the interior surfacedefines an interior cavity; a retaining cap secured to the barrel andcomprising a body segment extending into the interior cavity of thebarrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radially extending edge; acompression member maintained within the barrel interior cavity betweenan expanded position and a compressed position, wherein the compressionmember comprises first and second ends; a fastening device axiallymovable within the barrel interior cavity, wherein the fastening devicecomprises a leading edge at a first axial end, a trailing edge at asecond axial end and a radially interior surface comprising a grippingsegment; a retaining ring slidingly engaged with the barrel interiorsurface between the compression member and the fastening device; andwherein the compression member is compressible into the compressedposition by the radially extending edge of the retaining cap bodysegment at the compression member first end and by the trailing edge ofthe fastening device at the compression member second end.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a plurality of joinedindependent fastening devices slidingly engaged within the substantiallyfrustoconical portion of the interior surface of the barrel when thecompression member is in the expanded position.
 3. The device of claim2, wherein each of the plurality of independent fastening devicescomprises a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the firstside edge comprises an edge extension extending outwardly thereof, andwherein the second side edge is formed with an edge notch extendinginwardly thereof.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastening devicecomprises a radially outer surface, and wherein the radially outersurface at the first axial end of the fastening device is not engagedwith the barrel interior surface when the compression member is in thecompressed position.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the fasteningdevice comprises a radially outer surface, and wherein the radiallyouter surface at the second axial end of the fastening device is notengaged with the barrel interior surface when the compression member isin the compressed position.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein thefastening device comprises a radially outer surface, and wherein theradially outer surface at the first and second axial ends of thefastening device is not engaged with the barrel interior surface whenthe compression member is in the compressed position.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a radially outersurface, and wherein the radially outer surface at the second axial endof the fastening device is not engaged with the barrel interior cavitywhen the compression member is in the expanded position.
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises a head segment and abody segment, wherein the head segment is slidingly engaged with thebarrel interior cavity and the body segment is in mating contact withthe trailing edge of the fastening device.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the trailing edge of the fastening device comprises a radiallyextending ridge and an axially extending wall, wherein the body segmentof the retaining ring comprises a radially outer surface and an axiallyouter surface, wherein the axially outer surface of the body segment ofthe retaining ring is in mating contact with the radially extendingridge of the fastening device, and the radially outer surface of thebody segment of the retaining ring is in mating contact with the axiallyextending wall of the fastening device.
 10. The device of claim 8,wherein the head segment of the retaining ring is in mating contact withthe compression member second end.
 11. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a staging clip housed within the barrel interior cavity andin mating contact with the leading edge of the fastening device when thecompression member is in the expanded position.
 12. The device of claim11, wherein the staging clip is not in mating contact with the leadingedge of the fastening device when the compression member is in thecompressed position.
 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising apusher slidingly engaged with the barrel interior surface and in matingcontact with the leading edge of the fastening device when thecompression member is in the expanded position.
 14. The device of claim13, wherein the pusher comprises a head portion positioned axiallyoutside of the barrel.
 15. A device, comprising: a barrel comprising aninterior surface defining an interior cavity; a retaining cap secured tothe barrel and comprising an axially inner wall extending into theinterior cavity of the barrel, wherein the axially inner wall comprisesa radially extending edge; a compression member maintained within thebarrel interior cavity between an expanded position and a compressedposition, wherein the compression member comprises first and secondends; a fastening device comprising a leading edge at a first axial end,a trailing edge at a second axial end, a radially outer surface and aradially interior surface comprising a gripping segment; and a retainingring maintained between the compression member and the fastening device,wherein the retaining ring comprises a head segment and a body segment,wherein the head segment is slidingly engaged with the barrel interiorsurface and wherein the body segment is in mating contact with thetrailing edge of the fastening device, wherein the fastening device isaxially movable within the barrel interior cavity between a floatingposition corresponding to the compressed position of the compressionmember, in which the fastening device is not in contact with the barrelinterior surface, and an extended position corresponding to the expandedposition of the compression member.
 16. The device of claim 15, whereinthe compression member is compressible into the compressed position bythe radially extending edge of the retaining cap at the compressionmember first end and by the trailing edge of the fastening device at thecompression member second end.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein thefastening device comprises a plurality of joined independent fasteningdevices, wherein each of the plurality of joined independent fasteningdevices comprises a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein thefirst side edge comprises an edge extension extending outwardly thereof,and wherein the second side edge is formed with an edge notch extendinginwardly thereof.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the grippingsegment comprises a plurality of teeth, wherein each of the plurality ofteeth comprises a radially inwardly extending ridge and an axially andradially outwardly extending face, wherein the axially outermost of theplurality of teeth comprises a face that is of greatest length among theplurality of teeth.
 19. The device of claim 15, further comprising agrip ring maintained within the internal cavity by the compressionmember and the retaining ring.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein thegrip ring comprises a ring-shaped body and a plurality of radiallyinwardly extending teeth.
 21. The device of claim 15, further comprisinga staging clip housed within the barrel interior cavity and in matingcontact with the leading edge of the fastening device when thecompression member is in the expanded position.
 22. The device of claim15, further comprising a pusher slidingly engaged with the barrelinterior surface and in mating contact with the leading edge of thefastening device when the compression member is in the expandedposition.